Railway signaling system.



C. J. COLEMAN. RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1908.

1,047,@ 1 7, I Patented Dec. 24, 1912.

W/TNESSES; ag/Z 7 [14 INVENTOR 7w ATTOR Y8 marine STATES PATENT oFFIcE,

CLYDE J. COLEMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR-flO THE HALL SWITCH A ND SIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

' RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 1912.

Application filed July 10, 1908. Serial No. 442,816.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, Caron J. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, county and State of New York,

i have invented certain new and useful'Imthe rails' of the track are employed as the signal controlling circuit, a source of supply being connected across the rails at one point and an electro-responsive signaling controlvice is deenergized .controlling current? ling device being connected across the rails at another point." The'electro-responsive deby the presence 0 the. train ,betweenjit and the source inasmuch as the train short circuits the electro-responsive device. In this system the difterentsignal controlling circuits, usually one for each block, are separated by insulating joints forming breaks in the track at the end ofcach block. When such a system is used'for electric railroads it has been the practice to bridge these insulating joints with large and expensive inductance bonds to permit direct current or low trequency alternating current to be carried across the insulating joints while preventing more or less successfully the passage of a high frequency signal In this system also the rails have been connected at intervals by similar .inductance or reactance bonds to permit the equalization of the power current etween the rails. In another system which I have shown and described in my application, Serial No. 383,366, filed July 12th, 1907 I have sectionalized the track by intro- ,ducing bonds of negligible impedance at in- .ter'vals connected across the rails and pro ducing' bonds of zero difi'erence of potential between the rails, placing between eachpair of hands a source of supply connected across the rails. In this system the electroresponsive-device isplaced in operative relation to the current flow in the rails where adjacent 1 a to the bond. In said application I specifically show an electro-responsive device in inductive relation to the rails. My present invention retains the use of these bonds as a means of sectionalizing the track, but I supply the signal cont-rolling currentto the circuit between each pair of bonds by making a break in one of the rails of the'track and connecting said source across said break so as to supply the electro-motive-force of the source to the adjacent ends of the samerail.

Preferably I place this break in the rail closely adjacent to one bond and I' preferably supply a similar break in one or other of the rails at a-point closely adjacent to the other bond. These insulating breaks are not necessary in order to sectionalize the track, this being done by the bonds, but provide 'a means by which the entire current supplied by the source of signal controlling current may be utilized in an electr c-responsive device, sponsive device need be provided for each section. .Th1s s because the source being connected across the break in one rail instead of-across the track as heretofore, may. be placed as closely adjacent to a bond as is desired. It is not material to the invention that thebreaks be arranged one in each rail vof the section. Moreover, it is not material to my invention in its broader phase that the rails of the track be used as the conductors for the signaling current.

If the railroad is an electric one a source of power current may be supplied, one pole thereof being connected to the two rails in parallel.

and whereby but a single electro-re Inthis case the cross bonds form a desirable means of equalizing the power current in the two rails. 3 i

a The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention.

11, 12, are the rails which'may be connected in parallel to direct current generator 1:, the other pole of which .is connected to a trolley wire t. Bonds 6 connect'opposite rails of the track and divide the track electrically' into a series of signal sections 0:, y and a. In the tivity or breaks z'are provided at opposite ends and-1n opposite rel'ays of said circuit.

They are insulating points and. are sometimes called break points in the-circuit. To supply alternating current for signaling there may be a, separate generator for each signal resent embodiment of the invention thepoints of interrupted conducsection, but I prefer an alternating current supply circuit like 9, 10, containing an alter noting generator a with branch circuits l4, 15, in each of which is'a primary coil 17 cooperating with a secondary coil a forming the source of alternating current for the signal circuit section. The opposite terminals of the secondary coils s are connected opposite sides of a break end of a signali'section I aphore signal /i with operating mechanism in the form of a solenoid magnet 50. Magnet is in a circuit- 15, 51, connected with the alternating supply cirl cuit 9, 10. In circuit 15, 51 are break points 32, 33, in position to be opened and closed I by the movable member 31 of a polarized relay m. The movable coil or armature ol the relay m is in circuit with the coil 29 in cooperative relation with an inducing coil 28, the terminals of which are connected to the rail upon opposite sides of a break. point i, at the opposite end of a-signal section with respect to the source 8. The fixed coil 30 of relay mis in a branch circuit 18, 19, with conductors 14, 15, connected to the alternating circuit 9, 10. It results from this that alternating impulses in the coil '30 and in coil 31 are one-half cycle apart because the impulses operating in coil 31 pass through the transformer 28, 29. In the sig nal section a the.curre.ut from the source 3 operating in the coil 28 causes the movable element 31 of relay m to close the circuit of magnet 50 at the point 32, 33. In the section y the car 0 on the track cuts out the coil 28, and electrically separates it from the source 8 of that section. The movable member 31 of the relay m of section 3/ sumes its retracted position. The break points 32, 33, are open and the signal It goes to its danger indication. If a bond 0 be broken the current from adjacent vsources produce a condition of no effective current in the intermediate track circuit and the signals show danger, provided that the track sources 28 are, as shown, oppositely connected in alternate blocks.

In making use of the terms, signal and signal system, it is not intended to suggest that the invention is limited. to any particular type but it is to be understood that such terms are used. to attain simplic' and throughout the to into one rail upon point i. At each have shown a sem claims it is ii elude systems in which autor is employed to operate a t set. switches or act upon a train circuit or other I up aratus in such a manner as to automatical y give warning to an operator or train guard to enable him to control the movement of the cars.

While I have shown one specific embodiment of my invention and described the same in detail, I desire it tojbeunderetood that modifications may he made therein by i those skilled in the art without departing from the principle of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In a railway signaling system, a. pair of conductors, means for sectlonal izing the same to form a series of successive circui a break in one of the conductors of each circuit, sources of signal controlling current each arranged to ply its electro-motiveforce across one 0. said breaks, a second break in one of the conductors of each cir-' cuit, and electro-responsive devices each arranged to receive the across one of the latter breaks.

In a railway signaling system, the track rails, means for seetionalizing the same to form a series of A arranged to apply its electro-motive-force across one of said breaks, asecond break in one of the rails of each circuit, and electroresponsive devices each arranged to receive the electromotive-force across one .of the latter breaks.

3. In a railway signaling system, a pair of conduct ors, bonds connecting the same at intervals, two breaks in the each successive pair of bonds, means for applying an electro-motive-force across one of each said two breaks, and an electro-responsive device ,connected across each of the other said two breaks.

In a railway signaling system, the track rails, bonds connecting the same at intcrvals, two breaks in the circuit between each successive pair of bonds, means for ap plying an electro-motive-force each said two breaks, and aneloctro-responsive device connected across each of the other said tw o breaks.

5. In a railway signaling system;

I; signal electro -motive-force so a break in one of the rails of each circuit, sources of signal controlling current each circuit between across one of 5 controlling circuit comprising a section of the railway track and signaling current conducting bonds connecting the rails of the track at each end of the section, a breah ih" the circuit at one end thereof, a source of signal controlling current connected across the same, and an electr0-responsive device in operative relation with the circuit at the other end thereof.

6. In a railway signaling system, a signal controlling circuit includlng a section of r the track and signaling current conductin bonds connecting the rails thereof at eac end of the section, a break in a rail of the track, a source ofsi al controlling current connected across sai break, responsive device in operative relati n with the track circuit.

7. In a railway, esi tor and a generator 0 all current generaelectricity of conand an electro- 12} trasting characteristics, a circ uit including the rails connected to the iatter generator, a series of metallic signal circuits each con.- posed of electrically'independent adjacentsections of said rails, a signal contr lling coil having its terminals connected t a rail upon opposite sides-of a break point near one end of asignal sectiom'a source of signal current connected to a rail upon opposite sides of a break point at the other end of a signal. sect-ion, and means whereby such a coil in each signal section circuit operates a signal.

8. in a railway signal, a signal section circuit consisting of the parallel. rails of the track connected in series, a signal therefor, a break point in a rail at one end of the section,- a break point in a rail at the other end of the section, a signal control ing coil bridging the first named break, a source of alternating current bridging the second named break, means whereby said coil controls the signal. a direct current generator and a circuit for said generator including said rails in parallel.

Q. In a railway, the combination with the track rails of means for electric power distribution including'the track rails as partof the power circuit, means for automatic signaling including bonds unitingopposite rails of the track at corresponding points in each signal sec .on, insulating sections in each rail at o ,isite extremities of each signal section. vsource of signaling current, having a dilicrent chz'iracteristic to that of the power current, connected to a rail of each signal section upon opposite sides of insulating section and a signal controlling coil for each gnal section ha ing its t ininals connec a rail upon oppos, sides oi": the other insulatin section.

10. in a railway, the oination a rails of r ans .tor electric pr, distrloution including said track rails as part of the power circuit and means for automatic si naling, consisting t bonds. uniting ogpi' rails of the track at the terminals of sections, insulating at corresgonll 1 io i. a s urce or having a different charact r the power current. conna c u rren t that ol' the opposite miles oi the source a rai r p re insulating section in each signal x controlling coils, sect o ard ceinneet naling cor c 1' contrasting c v pow:-

erator included n circuit with the 5 nails and the M inc (l istrihution in circuit with a series of successive track signal circuits, each circuit consisting of. a section of track rails, bonds connecting said rails at corresponding points in each signal section, discontinuous points in the conductivity of the track at corresponding points in each signal section and connections between the terminals of the signal generator and a rail on opposite sides of one of said points in each signal section, signal controlling coils, one for each signal section, and connections between the terminals of a coil and a rail upon opposite sides of the other of said points in each signal section.

12, in a railway, the combination with the track rails of means for electric power distribution thereon including a power generatorconnected to said track rails, and means for automatic signaling thereon including a generator of electricity of contrasting characteristics, bonds connecting opposite rails at corresponding points in each of series of signal sections, points'of interrupted conductivity in the trackat opposite ends of each signal section, signal controlling coils, one "for each section, connections bet-Ween opposite terminals of the signal generator and a rail upon opposite sides of an interrupted point in each signal section and connections between opposite terminals of a signal controlling coil and a rail point 111 each signal section.

13. In a railway, the combination with the track rails of means for electric power distribution thereon including a direct current power generator connected to said track rails, means for automatic signaling on said railway includir i ilses of conductivity in the track at corresponding points in each signal sect-ion, signal con trolling coils, one for each section, connec- A opposite terminals of the Fuel and a rail upon oppopointct interrupted coneat signal section and connecoppo:

D coil and a. rail upon. opposite sides the other point o1": interrupted conouctlvity.

l points of interrupted V c o :ai system, in COIDbll'lfl way having the rails of adseparated by insulated joints,

blw-i: withthe diagonally 1 an or an ad os; it block, sources of V Hppl conductor connected no one or". said in.- elated joints, and sig-- nals controlled by said relays.

, '15. in a block signal system, in combinaupon opposite sides or the other interrupted te terminals of a signal wk ci :cu its, track relays tion with a railway having the rails of adjacent blocks separated by insulated joints sources of currentconnected to the rails, track relays each having a supply conductor connected around one of said insulated joints, and bonds connecting diagonally 0pposite rails of adjacent blocks and forming with the sources, rails, and relay supply con ductors closed track circuits,

said bonds bc- 2 ing common to adjacent track circuits, and 10 signals controlled by said relays.

In. testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN.

Witnesses ANNA DALY, EDWIN Snow. 

